Across Continents

Across Continents is a European Voluntary service (EVS) project. Through Volunteering and International cooperation it aims to promote a culture of peace and Human rights. Volunteers worked with children and youth from various contexts and background developing human aright education activities, arts, sports among others contributing to the community development and at the same time, learning valuable experiences and competences useful for their life at personal and professional level. WNSO implemented EVS program in Nepal in collaboration with CEIPES and the project was supported by youth in action program of European Commission. It was a group EVS program which managed four international volunteering placements in Nepal. There were four sending Countries: Italy, Spain, France and Netherlands. International volunteers worked together with Nepalese Volunteers to get the knowledge, Insights and ideas in different field of intercultural learning. The methodology used throughout the project in the framework of non- formal education and peace education approach: experiential learning, cooperative learning, active participation, learning by doing. In summary, the aim of this project was to help the community especially in the orphanage and disable centre and to work with peers of school/colleges for the inclusion and promote intercultural learning among volunteers.

Youth HRE club is one of the activities carried out by the WNSO-Nepal with students at higher secondary schools at Kathmandu Valley. Volunteers will be involved in the activities of the Club having a role of facilitating activities of various types with the students. The volunteers will collaborate in designing the activities of the youth club, focusing on different themes each time (human rights, citizenship, youth policy, environment, gender conflicts, etc.), thus helping to give continuity to a project that requires a great participation. Volunteers will collaborate in the organization and implementation of debates, BLOG competitions, workshops, painting, etc. This initiative will provide exceptional growth opportunities for young volunteers, who will acquire different skills useful both professionally and personally.

- CCRC College, Kumaripati and SV College, Sankhamul are selected for the HRE club and HRE is continued since project inception in Nepal.

Activity 2 - Assistance for people with disabilities at School of Disabled.

Volunteers will be involved in workshops that involve recreational, educational and cultural activities (debates, seminars, festivals, cinema, etc.) throughout the programme periods. In addition volunteers will be involved in mentoring students with disabilities, guiding them in their studies. This activity will be implemented first together with the other mentors of the school and on a second moment, when the volunteers are familiar to the students and are themselves familiar with the task, they will do it by themselves (but in presence of the mentors and teachers). Working in collaboration with the School of Disabled will allow volunteers to gain experience in social welfare, and will bring a priceless added value to their individual growth.

- SERC School of Disability, Baluwatar is selected for the support to children with disability.

Activity 3 - Organize leisure activities in an orphanage.

Volunteers will collaborate in the organization of entertainment activities in a orphanage in the city of Kathmandu. This orphanage hosts children that are studying in public schools and that have no family. Is part of the tasks of WNSO-Nepal to support these children also in their after school time as a way to ensure their full development. The main role of the volunteers will be to support the staff of the orphanage in the organization of free time activities with the children hosted in the orphanage. Volunteers will involve the children of the structure in various disciplines and practices of recreation, such as sports (tournaments of street ball, organized soccer leagues), creating workshops in painting, crafts, cooking, dancing, etc. Volunteers will be able to offer other workshops according with their abilities and interests of the children. Through helping to improve the living conditions of the orphaned children under the roof of host orphanage volunteers will learn life skills and the basic techniques of making orphaned pupil enthusiastic on life through sports, and other leisure activities.

- Pabitra Orphange and Himalayan Orphanage, Dhapasi are selected for the support activities to the orphanages children.

Activity 4 - Personal activity

In the framework of the activities of WNSO, volunteers had the opportunity to develop a personal activity according with the own interests. This activity started only on the second half of the volunteering period giving this way the possibility to volunteers to adapt, learn the language and know the local reality.

Learning outcomes are as follows:

• Basic English and Nepalese language knowledge.

• Ability to work in group as a team.

• Creativity; Relations management ability.

• Intercultural skills and attitudes.

• Specific competences related with the tasks carried out: skills to work with children, disabled youth and youth in general, understanding of group dynamics, capacity to manage a group, skills in non-formal education activities, knowledge about human rights, ability to organize an activities’ schedule for a youth club, help to orphanage kids for personal development, knowledge and ability to mentor youth with disabilities, values and attitudes of solidarity and support to other, etc.